The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. was incorporated in
1989. It was founded by Dan Kopman and Tom Schlafly, a lawyer and nephew of
political activist Phyllis Schlafly, although she is not involved in the
brewery. Their goal was to create quality local microbrew beer.

The brewery was built in the former Swift Printing Company building in downtown
St. Louis. the Swift Company moved out in 1969, and the building remained vacant
until renovated for the St. Louis Brewery in 1991. The brewery produced its
first beers in 1991, with the official public opening on December 26, 1991. The
first batches of pale ale and wheat beer were available only in draft form for
purchase at a pub on the premises.